There are world’s greatest sportsmen and there’s Sachin Tendulkar.

In a cricket career spanning more than two decades, the master blaster has virtually put his mark on every possible cricket record.

If cricket is a religion in a billion-strong India, then Sachin Tendulkar is the most-worshipped God.

He epitomises class, temperament and form – the three main pillars of a great cricket career.

His performance is a culmination of an all-round strokes that mark the wheel in almost the entire 360 degree field.

He is a remarkable combination of traditional and unorthodox style of batting.

“On a train from Shimla to Delhi, there was a halt in one of the stations. The train stopped by for few minutes as usual. Sachin was nearing century, batting on 98. The passengers, railway officials, everyone on the train waited for Sachin to complete the century. This Genius can stop time in India!!” - Peter Roebuck

One of the biggest strengths is that the five and a half foot tall batsman has no weaknesses. He has scored high against all the countries, in all the possible conditions, and against some of the best bowlers in the world. In fact, some of his highest scores have been against Australia, undoubtedly the best cricket team in the world.

“If I’ve to bowl to Sachin, I’ll bowl with my helmet on. He hits the ball so hard.” – Dennis Lillee

He has scored the most hundreds in both forms for cricket – one day international and test cricket. Interestingly, Sachin had to wait till in 79th match to score his first ODI century.

“Sachin is a genius. I’m a mere mortal.” – Brian Lara

Sachin Tendulkar records

Born – 24 April 1973 in Mumbai, India

Honours

1 Rated by Wisden as the second greatest test batsman ever, after Sir Don Bradman, in 2002

2 Conferred the Padma Vibhushan – India’s second highest civilian award in 2008 & Padma Shri in 1999

3 Honoured with Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, India’s highest sporting honour, for 1997-1998

4 Named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1997

An illustrious cricketing career

1 While at school, he struck a mammoth 664-run partnership with Vinod Kambli in a Harris Shield game

2 In 1988/1989, representing Mumbai (then Bombay) against Gujarat, he scored 100 not-out in his first first-class match

3 At 15 years and 232 days he was the youngest to score a century in his debut

4 Played his first international match and ODI in 1989

5 First ODI century in 1994

6 Tendulkar also holds the record for scoring 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year. He has done it six times – 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2003

7 He has been Man of the Match 11 times in test matches and Man of the Series twice

8 Only player to score a century while making his Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy and Irani Trophy debut